BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A destination for pizza, cheesesteaks, chicken wings and other tasty eats is bidding farewell in Bethlehem.
Cheesy Charlie, a fast-casual eatery offering dine-in, takeout and delivery services, has announced its upcoming closure on March 29 at 201 Mechanic St. in south Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
The restaurant opened in 2023 in space that was previously home to Randy’s Pizzeria.
Cheesy Charlie is closing to make room for a “promising upstart” that will be announced soon, according to the message posted on Cheesy Charlie’s Facebook page.
“To all our loyal customers, we would like to say, See you later!” the online announcement reads. “We don’t like goodbyes!”
To show appreciation to the community, the restaurant is offering $10 large cheese pies for takeout, with toppings available for $2 each.
“It’s been a great time, with many friendships made, and many additions to our prayer list,” the online announcement continues. “We hope to see you this month. God Bless and Praise to the King!”
Cheesy Charlie, a fast-casual restaurant offering New York-style pizza, mac and cheese, sandwiches and more, operates at 201 Mechanic St. on Bethlehem’s South Side. Pictured is owner Jeff Kulls.
Ryan Kneller
Owner and head chef Jeff Kulls opened Cheesy Charlie in October 2023.
Kulls previously cooked at Lehigh Valley restaurants and other venues for 38 years, garnering experience at prominent current and former dining establishments, including the former Federal Grill in Allentown and the former Candlelight Inn in Bethlehem Township.
His resume also includes culinary gigs at local schools and senior living facilities.
At Cheesy Charlie, he’s serving up an array of made-from-scratch dishes, including steak sandwiches such as the Classic Philly and Mechanic (half-pound steak, smoked gouda, horseradish sauce, barbecue sauce, tomato and frizzled onions),
The corner eatery primarily handles takeout and delivery orders, but it also has about 10 indoor counter seats.
“I always wanted to own and operate my own restaurant, but I never wanted a big place because then it turns into a big production with a lot of workers,” Kulls told 69 News shortly after Cheesy Charlie’s opening. “This space is perfect me – just enough room to do what I love.”
Cheesy Charlie operates at 201 Mechanic St. in south Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
Cheesy Charlie also serves specialty pizzas – in 14-, 16- and 18-inch sizes – such as Buffalo chicken, Hawaiian and meat lovers; and specialty mac and cheese – topped with butter-toasted crumbs and served with focaccia bread – such as Philly steak, taco beef and BBQ pulled pork.
Other menu highlights include calzones, strombolis, jumbo chicken wings in sauces such as sweet chili and spicy Thai peanut and sides such as cheese fries and garlic knot pull-aparts.
Cheesy Charlie is named after a variation of Kulls’ nickname, which originated during his childhood.
“When I was a kid at Muhlenberg Elementary School in Allentown, one of my teachers wrote on my report card, ‘Jeff is a good time Charlie,’ because I talked in class,” Kulls said. “So, when my dad first met my wife, he told her the story, and she started calling me Charlie. It’s just stuck over the years.”
Cheesy Charlie, which offers online ordering through the Slice app, is open 4-8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-10 p.m. Fridays and noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays. Info: cheesycharliemenu.com.